Billionaire Nicolas Maduro $700M in assets seized!

[Hispo]

I hope we can at least lessen corrupt government officials because up until now, there are so many corrupt officials who continue to take advantage of their position for their own profit. I hope Venezuelans have a better leadership after this controversial President.

Here's the thing: all these Bolivarians who proclaim themselves defenders of the poor have actually enriched themselves, starting with Maduro, while impoverishing the population, which is now living in misery.

Don't let the Western media fool us, the sole purpose of this war is oil.

You didn't say anything when China and Russia were also working with Maduro's regime for oil. And you don't mention that US oil companies were expropriated, which is what communists like best: stealing.

Mostly, those benefitting from our oil were China and Cuba. Cuba were literally getting oil at discount from us, and gasoline, while the bulk of the people here had to spend hours on a gas line in order to refill the tank at a price of 50 cents per liter. Those who cannot pay for gasoline and wanted to get subsidized gas needed to spend literal days in a line of several kilometers in order to keep their vehicles going.

Again, those people who talk about imperialism and interventions of superpowers in third world countries only care when it is the United States or the European Union doing things, but they would shut their mouth when China literally takes over the economy and resources of other countries.

[7juju]

I hope Venezuelans have a better leadership after this controversial President.

I read from somewhere on the internet that Donald Trump said he will run the affairs of the country and restructure it for the people of Venezuela untill there is a proper transition of power. What we don't know now is how long Trump intend running the country before the proper transition of power. From everything that has been happening with Venezuela I think this is a good news for the country. I know many people will say US is coming for their oil, but is it not better that the country is being developed and jobs opportunities created by the US if they manage the country than having a corrupt leader that pack all the money and share with his cartels and neglect developing the country and welfare of the citizens.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmlz7r0zrxo.amp

[Free Market Capitalist]

Mostly, those benefitting from our oil were China and Cuba. Cuba were literally getting oil at discount from us, and gasoline, while the bulk of the people here had to spend hours on a gas line in order to refill the tank at a price of 50 cents per liter. Those who cannot pay for gasoline and wanted to get subsidized gas needed to spend literal days in a line of several kilometers in order to keep their vehicles going.

Again, those people who talk about imperialism and interventions of superpowers in third world countries only care when it is the United States or the European Union doing things, but they would shut their mouth when China literally takes over the economy and resources of other countries.

Nor do I see them talking about 8 million exiles, or political repression, with torture and murder. They are the same people who will protest fervently about unimportant stuff in the US or the EU.

Let's hope for an orderly transition to a fully democratic regime and for Venezuela's economy to open up so that people can achieve decent living standards.

No matter how much they protest about oil, if American companies come in, what will happen is that they will first invest in modernizing the infrastructure, which will create jobs that in turn will stimulate the economy. And then they will multiply oil production, again fueling GDP. I believe that with a little luck, you could be the Japan of the 19th century, which went from being a country devastated by World War II to being in the G7 (the world's seven largest industrial powers).

You have the natural resources; all you need is democracy and economic freedom. Although it will take time, of course.

[Fortify]

From jets to Florida luxury homes: U.S. seized a fortune from Maduro

All these leaders who preach against the rich and capital are all the same; what they dislike is the wealth of others. They create societies where poverty and misery are widespread among the population, who tend to flee the country in their millions, if they are allowed to and no walls are built to prevent them from escaping, while they continue to accumulate more and more wealth, at the same time as continuing with their rhetoric against the rich and capitalism.

This is nothing new. After staging a coup following their defeat in the elections just over a century ago, the first thing the Bolsheviks did was to take over the dachas for their own personal use.

It never fails: the more radical a leader's rhetoric against wealth and capital is, the richer he is himself. What he doesn't like is for others to get rich.

This is the hypocrisy of the elites and is very common. Same situation in Russia - Putin and his oligarch cronies are more than happen to send off the serfs to die for his vanity project of taking a chunk of Ukraine. It was all meant to be over in 24 hours in his incompetent mins, yet here we are four years later with a war still simmering on the edge of Europe for no real benefit to Russia, at least not after all the costs are taken into consideration. The only problem with authoritarian dictators is all that money buys a lot of support and it's ever harder for citizens to spontaneously rise up against them with the level of control some countries use.

[abhiseshakana]

Mostly, those benefitting from our oil were China and Cuba. Cuba were literally getting oil at discount from us, and gasoline, while the bulk of the people here had to spend hours on a gas line in order to refill the tank at a price of 50 cents per liter. Those who cannot pay for gasoline and wanted to get subsidized gas needed to spend literal days in a line of several kilometers in order to keep their vehicles going.

Again, those people who talk about imperialism and interventions of superpowers in third world countries only care when it is the United States or the European Union doing things, but they would shut their mouth when China literally takes over the economy and resources of other countries.

Nor do I see them talking about 8 million exiles, or political repression, with torture and murder. They are the same people who will protest fervently about unimportant stuff in the US or the EU.

Let's hope for an orderly transition to a fully democratic regime and for Venezuela's economy to open up so that people can achieve decent living standards.

No matter how much they protest about oil, if American companies come in, what will happen is that they will first invest in modernizing the infrastructure, which will create jobs that in turn will stimulate the economy. And then they will multiply oil production, again fueling GDP. I believe that with a little luck, you could be the Japan of the 19th century, which went from being a country devastated by World War II to being in the G7 (the world's seven largest industrial powers).

You have the natural resources; all you need is democracy and economic freedom. Although it will take time, of course.

I can say oil curse happen in Venezuela but its happened because elite politic / government use oil as power tools rather than economic development tools. I am doubting when Venezuela sucessfully pulled in to US's orbit, they are not exploited by other country, if its happen Venezuela citizen only jump from the fire into the friying pan. I can imagine privat sector will replace army for economic exploitation. It will cause geopolotical risk such as explained on dependency theory that Venezuela only provide raw natural sources, high dependence on foreign investment and lost its bargaining power (its energy policy will be controled by market and its value added will fly to foreign pocket.

I don't think Venezuela can be transformed like Japan post WW-II considering different economical background and US perspective on its national interset to this two country. Democracy and free market not automatically dispel oil curse. Too much work to finish such as citizen mindset changing, institutional reformation, economic diversification with no high dependence on oil easy money, and the most impossible thing is sovereignity of oil policy, without it how can venezuela start develop high industrial / manufacture like Japan did.

From Venezuela history, world can learn that rely on oil easy money for its ownership (without productivity, inovation and efficiency) is dangerously killed real economic growth. We also noticed the importance of tax which drawn goverment responsibility and accountability. Venezuelan must ensure they can change to be value creator/producer not only subsidies recipient so goverment can start non oil industrial development, they also can considering tax as main sources of nations spending budged with hope they can ask government responsibility to protect public interest.

What Cuba, China and Venezuela played decaded is exchange of strategic interest. Practically, Venezuela get fuel and dictatorism regime stability support while China and Cuba enjoy cheap acess of oil supply. But all lost its policy flexibility and party with the lowest bargaining power will be the most lose party in this game.

[stompix]

All these leaders who preach against the rich and capital are all the same; what they dislike is the wealth of others.

Seeing him arrested wearing a Nike outfit was just top!

Reminds me when the US turned that Iranian general in kebab in an airstrike and while chanting death to America they paraded his coffin in a Dodge truck while his family was taking pictures with an iPhone!

No matter who becomes president of Venezuela, if they do not kneel and submit to the United States, their country will never find peace and progress. What has happened and is happening in Venezuela is simply the consequence of years of resistance against American imperialism. The cause is not solely due to incompetent and corrupt leaders, as the press has reported.

Yeah, lol, bullshit!
This is exactly due to incompetent leadership!
Resistance to imperialism, my ass, this is corruption, nothing else!

What did they do to resist imperialism? Killed their own citizens when they demanded food so they don't become people with a full stomach and remain hungry socialists?

[8rch7]

From Venezuela history, world can learn that rely on oil easy money for its ownership (without productivity, inovation and efficiency) is dangerously killed real economic growth. We also noticed the importance of tax which drawn goverment responsibility and accountability. Venezuelan must ensure they can change to be value creator/producer not only subsidies recipient so goverment can start non oil industrial development, they also can considering tax as main sources of nations spending budged with hope they can ask government responsibility to protect public interest.

I think this points very interested for discussing, Venezuela have much natural resources exactly oil and its reason why Donald Trump arrest Nicolas Maduro to exploit Venezuela's oil. For easily war invasion in Venezuela I think need to learn one important thing beside have much oil supply need to have strong relationship with top countries such as Russia, China or North Korea. Fully believing with possibility if Venezuela have good relationship with three top countries United  State never brave to exploit Venezuela or other countries.

Great lesson for other countries have much natural resources exactly oil protect your country as well as and build up the strong military, I believe if US or other top country want to make invasion get difficulty beside the government must get their people support how Venezuela president arrest easily without get support from their people.

[Accardo]

I hope Venezuelans have a better leadership after this controversial President.

I read from somewhere on the internet that Donald Trump said he will run the affairs of the country and restructure it for the people of Venezuela untill there is a proper transition of power. What we don't know now is how long Trump intend running the country before the proper transition of power. From everything that has been happening with Venezuela I think this is a good news for the country. I know many people will say US is coming for their oil, but is it not better that the country is being developed and jobs opportunities created by the US if they manage the country than having a corrupt leader that pack all the money and share with his cartels and neglect developing the country and welfare of the citizens.

While some citizens are happy for the detaining of Maduro, there is a world wide protest of Venezuelans tearing down US flags and setting it ablaze in anger over the arrest of their president. True, Trump would run the dead nation as he called it, he also mentioned bringing the country back to life. Furthermore, Trump is mostly concerned about the Venezuelans because they amounted for the highest number of gangs who caused chaos in the United states during the Biden open border policy. He wants to hunt all those gangs to the dust and liberate the country from evil operators.

[Free Market Capitalist]

While some citizens are happy for the detaining of Maduro, there is a world wide protest of Venezuelans tearing down US flags and setting it ablaze in anger over the arrest of their president.

Venezuelans? There is no single Venezuelan in those pro-Maduro demonstrations. Here is an example:

'They Don't Even Speak Spanish!' Venezuelans Clash With Pro-Maduro Protestors Outside Courthouse


To those of you who are serious people, unlike this propagandist, I say don't take the statement literally. There may be some Venezuelans in those demonstrations (I personally haven't seen any), but it is curious, to say the least, to see Venezuelans around the world celebrating Maduro's fall as if it were the fall of the Berlin Wall, and in the counter-demonstrations you see everything except Venezuelans. As the Venezuelan in the video says, those demonstrators have probably been funded by Russia or China.

[Synchronice]

You can't point out any form of government that is not flawed, but democracy remains the superior choice.

Call me crazy but a dictatorship can be better than democracy but only if it's the country is in hands of a dictator who is smart, strategic and focused on his people and the country but such a dictator can be seen once in a thousand year and because of this, in 99% cases, dictatorship is a bad choice.

The US is a "land of opportunity" because of capitalism. There is a reason they have more millionaires and billionaires than any other country. There is a reason every corporation wants to have its business there. Any leader who is against capitalism, people should be wary of him because they should know better. Even China and Russia, which claim to be socialist, are not following strict socialist ideas; there is often a mix of capitalism.

Not only because of capitalism but because of the mentality of the people (consumerism), the way how easy it is to start a business, get a loan and risk going into bankruptcy. You can easily hire and fire people without any further explanation. People work lots of hours in this country too. There are less regulations, a very good protection of intellectual property and so on.

Madro is arrested for drug crime and trafficking, if they can prove that then they can hold him for the rest of his natural life I presume.

The USA basically kidnapped Maduro. Do you think that if isn't unnecessary in "if they can prove" sentence? Since they did this military operation, it's 100% guaranteed that this fact is proven and he will end up in prison. By the way, the most interesting thing is, how lawful was his arrest? Especially the way the USA did it?

[Alpha Marine]

To those of you who are serious people, unlike this propagandist, I say don't take the statement literally. There may be some Venezuelans in those demonstrations (I personally haven't seen any), but it is curious, to say the least, to see Venezuelans around the world celebrating Maduro's fall as if it were the fall of the Berlin Wall, and in the counter-demonstrations you see everything except Venezuelans. As the Venezuelan in the video says, those demonstrators have probably been funded by Russia or China.

It's funny that a lot of Venezuelans in Argentina, Chile, Spain, and other countries are celebrating the capture. Close to 8 million people have migrated out of Venezuela since 2014 (when Maduro came into power), and this data was in 2024. And it's not like these people are running to Western countries; they don't mind going to other Latin American countries, which aren't rich countries.
I mean, despite the economic downturn in Argentina, these people prefer to stay in Argentina rather than Venezuela because of how horrible the regime has been.
20% of people will not leave a country during a regime if the regime is good.
Since Maduro took over, inflation has gone up to over 100% and these were before US sanctions. The regime also caused their GDP to drop by about 75%. Let's not even talk about the extreme poverty that is going on.
The oppression of oppositions and protesters is a different topic altogether. What I hate is people trying to create a narrative that he is a hero simply because he stood against America. He is no hero and

Maduro gave the US an excuse to kidnap him. If he had led his country well and improved its economy, the US wouldn't have had an excuse, but he went on to be one of the worst presidents currently and allowed his country to collapse because he was benefiting from the collapse.

You can't point out any form of government that is not flawed, but democracy remains the superior choice.

Call me crazy but a dictatorship can be better than democracy but only if it's the country is in hands of a dictator who is smart, strategic and focused on his people and the country but such a dictator can be seen once in a thousand year and because of this, in 99% cases, dictatorship is a bad choice.

I see your point, but I disagree with you to an extent. 
What a person might see as best for their country, and people may be different from what the majority of the people see as what is best for their country and people.
Let's use Thanos, for example (I'm assuming you have seen the movie). Thanos was smart, strategic and focused on his country (the Universe) and his people, but his solution was to murder half of the earth. Is that what is best for the planet? I mean, in his own way, he was doing what was right, but was it?

Maybe you could say, That's just a movie, so let's get real. Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, is smart, strategic, and focused on his people and country, but how has that benefited the people of North Korea? They still live in poverty and fear. They can be jailed or killed at will, and there is nothing they can do. They don't have a mind of their own and cant question their government, meanwhile, they're the ones that work for the money used to run the country.
Human beings should have the right to decide what they want and what they do not want without fear of being killed or imprisoned.

[blockman]

What Cuba, China and Venezuela played decaded is exchange of strategic interest. Practically, Venezuela get fuel and dictatorism regime stability support while China and Cuba enjoy cheap acess of oil supply. But all lost its policy flexibility and party with the lowest bargaining power will be the most lose party in this game.

China has gotten that effect after the USA have taken Maduro and his wife. As they have enjoyed all of the trade that they've got while one's retained in the dictatorship. Now, China's(Chinese Energy Stocks Fall on Potential Cut in Venezuela Supply) stocks related to oil/energy have plummeted a lot. This is a domino effect that shall happen to all of those countries that have once enjoyed cheap oil. It's possible that they'll still get Venezuelan oil but no longer cheaper and have to go through the US.

[Accardo]

To those of you who are serious people, unlike this propagandist, I say don't take the statement literally. There may be some Venezuelans in those demonstrations (I personally haven't seen any),

What is it to be serious about a news you are not sure of, were you a part of the Venezuelans who clashed with the pro Demonstrators, I don't see any propaganda in my view, the protest also made it to the news I read, which means that not every Venezuelans is ok with Trump's military action in their country. Are you now on Trump's side this time around?

[Fiatless]

The next three days will be decisive and nobody knows what could happen, pray for us.

All I want is a situation where the interests of Venezuelans would be considered first. I want all this tensions and political crisis to bring a free, prosperous, and secure country. I will always remember your country and others that are going through hard times in my prayers.  

Venezuelans? There is no single Venezuelan in those pro-Maduro demonstrations. Here is an example:

'They Don't Even Speak Spanish!' Venezuelans Clash With Pro-Maduro Protestors Outside Courthouse


To those of you who are serious people, unlike this propagandist, I say don't take the statement literally. There may be some Venezuelans in those demonstrations (I personally haven't seen any), but it is curious, to say the least, to see Venezuelans around the world celebrating Maduro's fall as if it were the fall of the Berlin Wall, and in the counter-demonstrations you see everything except Venezuelans. As the Venezuelan in the video says, those demonstrators have probably been funded by Russia or China.

There are many fake videos on the internet about Venezuela. Even the BBC confirmed that some of the anti-Maduro demonstration videos are misleading.
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cn7jrk2jvxno

[Hispo]

While some citizens are happy for the detaining of Maduro, there is a world wide protest of Venezuelans tearing down US flags and setting it ablaze in anger over the arrest of their president.

Venezuelans? There is no single Venezuelan in those pro-Maduro demonstrations. Here is an example:

'They Don't Even Speak Spanish!' Venezuelans Clash With Pro-Maduro Protestors Outside Courthouse


To those of you who are serious people, unlike this propagandist, I say don't take the statement literally. There may be some Venezuelans in those demonstrations (I personally haven't seen any), but it is curious, to say the least, to see Venezuelans around the world celebrating Maduro's fall as if it were the fall of the Berlin Wall, and in the counter-demonstrations you see everything except Venezuelans. As the Venezuelan in the video says, those demonstrators have probably been funded by Russia or China.

Actually, it is quite disgusting who here are people living in first world countries who are willing to protest in favor of a criminal and a torturer just because they do not like the president of the United States or the current state of American politics. It would be a very low bar if I had to go to the streets of a free capitalist country with a board calling for the freedom of someone who stole the freedom of millions of people.
The worst part is that is anyone asked any of those people why they are defending Maduro, they would only talk shit about the United States, but they are completely unaware of the crimes and corruption perpetrated by Maduro and his crooks here in Venezuela.

There is indeed something worse than a dictator: those who blindly defend him while living in a functional western democracy.

[terrific]

While some citizens are happy for the detaining of Maduro, there is a world wide protest of Venezuelans tearing down US flags and setting it ablaze in anger over the arrest of their president. True, Trump would run the dead nation as he called it, he also mentioned bringing the country back to life. Furthermore, Trump is mostly concerned about the Venezuelans because they amounted for the highest number of gangs who caused chaos in the United states during the Biden open border policy. He wants to hunt all those gangs to the dust and liberate the country from evil operators.

I am really confused of which is the good and bad side on this.
While I don't have any leads of what actually is the right thing there. But one thing is I've known for the past years.
And that's about their economy is so bad and have made it into hyperinflation. Which means that there's a problem with leadership.
Now, with all of those protests are related to him if they've done it legally or illegally.
There's always two sides of the story and as I can see, leftists are also leveraging their presence on this incident.

[Free Market Capitalist]

What is it to be serious about a news you are not sure of, were you a part of the Venezuelans who clashed with the pro Demonstrators, I don't see any propaganda in my view, the protest also made it to the news I read, which means that not every Venezuelans is ok with Trump's military action in their country. Are you now on Trump's side this time around?

What I am sure of is that you are promoting a communist dictatorship that has caused an exodus of 8 million people and tortured and murdered tens of thousands simply for opposing the regime.

Of course I'm with Trump against that trash. There are no Venezuelans in the pro-Maduro demonstrations unless you mean inside Venezuela, which is logical because there are still Chavismo supporters there.

There are many fake videos on the internet about Venezuela. Even the BBC confirmed that some of the anti-Maduro demonstration videos are misleading.
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cn7jrk2jvxno

Fake news CNN who had to make two people resign for manipulating against Trump in this case is talking about demonstrations within Venezuela. There are no Venezuelans in demonstrations pro-Maduro around the world. Only posh communists with full bellies who don't know what it's like to have to eat their cat because of the hunger caused by the communist dictatorship.

Just listen to this guy who lives in Venezuela:

The worst part is that is anyone asked any of those people why they are defending Maduro, they would only talk shit about the United States, but they are completely unaware of the crimes and corruption perpetrated by Maduro and his crooks here in Venezuela.

There is indeed something worse than a dictator: those who blindly defend him while living in a functional western democracy.

[Darker45]

First, I don't trust a politician. I'd rather listen to, believe, and depend on any street sweeper than any politician. I don't know much about President Mujica but perhaps he could be a candidate for exception.

Second, a strict implementation of socialism can only happen in books. Especially in the case of Venezuela which is more like another authoritarian state, it's doomed to fail. To my mind, capitalism or allowing private enterprise to thrive complements human nature.

Finally, however, I don't consider the arrest of Maduro as Venezuela's liberation. And for many reasons. Topmost of which is that Rodríguez is another Maduro, and the fact that it's an outsider that made the very big decision.

[Taskford]

First, I don't trust a politician. I'd rather listen to, believe, and depend on any street sweeper than any politician. I don't know much about President Mujica but perhaps he could be a candidate for exception.

Your thoughts is really valid because knowing that most of them are pathological liars. In Mujica case is different because he refuse to have luxuries life and donate his money to the people he govern.

Second, a strict implementation of socialism can only happen in books. Especially in the case of Venezuela which is more like another authoritarian state, it's doomed to fail. To my mind, capitalism or allowing private enterprise to thrive complements human nature.
 

On practice this one transform into authoritarianism, just like in that country on which there ideology has became a cover up for their concentration of power. Also it seems everything is driven by self interest.

Finally, however, I don't consider the arrest of Maduro as Venezuela's liberation. And for many reasons. Topmost of which is that Rodríguez is another Maduro, and the fact that it's an outsider that made the very big decision.

I don't see any changes will happen after Rodriguez assume the seat since as we can see she continues to support Maduro and criticize US for his arrest. So with that people in Venezuela seems like cannot expect a reform but rather their current leader might just continue what Maduro does. I think the real liberation would only happen if they reshape their institution, not only swapping top positions.

[jaberwock]

Have you ever seen anyone be a dictator of a nation of elite wealthy educated people? Of course you can't, the whole concept of a dictatorship depends on people being down, so that you can be their dictators, you have to have uneducated poor people who are hungry to be able to rule them, otherwise they would just rebel and take over.

Even in Germany, they were in poverty after first world war for what happened to be possible, otherwise it's not possible at all. We have to see things as they are, dictators love uneducated poor people.